What's New? Changes from the 5th Edition

You know that thing that some textbook authors do where they come out with a new edition that's basically the same, just to encourage you to buy a new copy? Yeah, I think that's unfair. I don't do that.

This is big -- HUGE -- change from the 5th edition (which, in turn, was a huge change from the 4th edition).

It has 70% more content. I actually had to change the page size because it got too long for the printer to handle!

Some of the changes I'm most excited about include:

Hints! Every problem has hints — sometimes 10 or more on the hardest problems. You should still of course try to do the problems without the hints, but they’re there when you need them. This helps unstick you when you’re stuck so solving a question isn’t so all or nothing. It also does a better job of imitating a real interview since real interviewers will give you hints too.

Big O: Since writing the 5th edition, I’ve realized how many people struggle with big O (even those with CS degrees, and even those who think they’re pretty comfortable with it). It’s such an important topic and it’s crucial that you’re truly fluent with big O.

Fun new problems: This edition has 189 problems and the last one has 150. Do the math — that’s 39 new problems. I took out a few problems that are less useful, so it’s actually a bit more than that.

New strategies for solving algorithm questions: I’ve done a bunch of interview prep/coaching over the last few years, and developed some new techniques for solving algorithm questions. They work super well and are applicable to a lot of problems.

Fewer Prerequisites: I wrote the 5th edition under the impression that my readers were all have CS degrees. Turns out… not so much. I didn’t dumb it down the book, but I did take the time to explain some topics that people without degrees (or people who are just rustier on those topics) might not be as comfortable with.

Expanded sections on System Design and Trees and Graphs, plus an Advanced Topics section at the back: Related to the previous bullet, I’ve actually expanded more on these topics.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

"I wish I had read this book 90 days ago. I wouldn't have blown a great job that I really wanted. This book goes beyond the usual answers to questions likely to be asked. Instead of telling you what to think it teaches you HOW to think. If I had read this book first and knew what was coming I think I would have nailed it."

- J. Braun, Amazon.com

"Bought this book 3 weeks before interview. Read the book twice with careful hand-writing practice on each question. Got Amazon offer. The interview had 4 questions and one was in the book."

- Larry, Amazon.com

"This book is a must-have for any interview candidate. Not only does it give practice problems and detailed answers, but it also gives you good advice about how to approach the problems as well as what to expect. I used this book to prepare for my interviews with Microsoft, and Gayle's insight gave me a great idea of how to prepare and how to ace the interview. I recommend this book to anyone who has a coding interview in their future."